Ferrero Rocher Dates

Meet the date version of a classic timeless chocolate, Ferrero Rocher! Caramel-like Medjool dates stuffed with hazelnut butter, a whole hazelnut, and just when you thought it was enough hazelnuts, a coating of melted chocolate and chopped hazelnuts to finish it off. They make for the perfect indulgent yet healthy treat to keep on deck when the sweet tooth craving hits!

PREPARING THE DATES

This recipe calls for Medjool dates because they’re a lot larger, more soft and chewy, and have a very strong caramel-like taste. Of course, you can feel free to use any other dates but Medjool is preferred.

Make a slit across one side to open it up and remove the seed/pit in the center. Repeat with the rest and that’s all for preparing the dates. If you buy dates that already have the pits removed, then all you need to do is cut them open.

Making the Hazelnut Butter

Since Nutella is already so sweet, I figured that we’d make homemade hazelnut nut butter for the filling. It’s super easy to make from scratch!

To a very powerful, food processor, add the roasted hazelnuts. Pulse until it resembles a very thick paste.

NOTE: If you purchase raw hazelnuts, just pop them on a tray and bake them in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes to roast. They should be golden and fragrant. Once they cool down, you can roll them around in your hands to remove all the skin.

Then add in the maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Continue processing until smooth and creamy. It might take a few minutes. If the hazelnut butter is too runny, it may just be hot from the food processor. Transfer it to the fridge to firm up a bit.

If you prefer the hazelnut butter to be chocolate flavor, you can also add cocoa powder along with maple syrup and vanilla extract. This way it mimics Nutella more without being as sweet. I chose to leave the cocoa powder out of it because I thought it would be chocolate overkill with the chocolate dip. If you’re a chocolate lover though, go for it!

DIPPING IN CHOCOLATE

Once all the dates are filled, it’s time to bathe them in some chocolate! I used semi-sweet because it’s not too sweet and not too bitter, right in the middle. You can also use milk for something very sweet or dark for something a lot less sweet.

The best way to dip the dates is to attach a toothpick to each date. If you don’t have a toothpick, you can use a fork instead.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, making sure to stir in between until completely melted and smooth. To get the exterior of these dates just like Ferrero Rocher, add finely chopped hazelnuts to the melted chocolate and mix them together.

Dip each date in the chocolate and nuts, let the excess drip off, and transfer to a parchment-lined tray or plate. You can also add some more chopped hazelnuts on top or even flakey salt here if you’d like. Depending on the chocolate you use and how it melts, you’ll either end up with a thick layer of chocolate or a thin layer. If you want this dessert to not be as rich/sweet, aim for a thin layer of chocolate.

Pop the dates in the fridge or freezer just for a few minutes until the chocolate firms up. Then you can take out the toothpicks and they’re ready to enjoy. The easiest way to remove the toothpicks is by twisting them first and then pulling them out.

Variations to Try

If you don’t feel like putting in the extra effort to make the hazelnut butter from scratch, you can swap it for Nutella. Just keep in mind, Nutella is a lot sweeter and more chocolatey than if you made it from scratch which I’m not complaining about! Just depends on your taste and preference.

You can also make a Snickers version which is just the same recipe but filled with peanut butter and chopped peanuts, coated in chocolate, and more chopped peanuts on top.

Other options for fillings include pistachio paste, cream cheese, ricotta, or even a coconut filling.

HOW TO STORE THEM

Because all the ingredients in this recipe are shelf-stable, these dates can be stored on the counter in an air-tight container. It’s better to enjoy them at room temperature so the Medjool tastes can have that caramel-like consistency. If you plan to make them much in advance, you can store them in the fridge or freezer and then just let them come to room temperature before enjoying them.

Watch How to Make It

Other Sweet Treats Like This

• Snickers Stuffed Dates
• White Chocolate Caramel Cashew Clusters
• Banana Pudding
• Thumbprint Cookies
• No-Bake Oreo Truffles

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